Explorer/Blazer/Jeep Road test results - April 95 Four Wheeler Magazine
gri...@primenet.com
have extracted some info from a recent test of the Explorer, Blazer, and Grand
Cherokee, all 95 models. This comes from the April, 1995 FOUR WHEELER
Magazine. The tested models were all Signiture Editions of the Top of the Line
except for the Blazer which has no signiture edition, just a Top of the Line
model.
I won't try to quote the many comments they made about each vehicle but in
summary they had much good to say about all of them and really nothing
significant negative. And unlike some magazines they did not try and pick a
"winner" based on some particular rating scheme which is then ignored when
making the final choice. Although it's clear from the numbers I will follow
this with, probably the biggest suprise they point out was that the 4.3L Blazer
walked away with the acceleration honors besting the 5.2L GC and (no surprise)
the 4.0L Explorer in all but the quarter mile. If you look at the Automatic
tranny gear ratios it's very likely that the reason is that the GM AT has the
best lower gear ratios (1st and 2nd) for putting power to the wheels. 3:1 vs
2.5:1 for 1st gear and 1.63:1 vs 1.45:1 for 2nd. This was probably the most
useful article I've come across lately that explains the significant
differences between the vehicles, including the differences in their
variations of full and part time 4WD systems. Anyone contemplating purchase of
a 95 would find it worth their while to get a copy.
Ford Jeep Chevy
Ground Clearance 8.5 8.1 8.5
Axle Ratio 3.73 3.73 3.73
Turning Diameter 34.6 36.6 39.5
Braking from 55mph 119 114 126
Fuel MPG actual 13 15.7 17.2
0 - 30 MPH 3.78 3.34 3.20
0 - 60 MPH 11.38 9.20 9.14
1/4mi sec 18.32 17.04 17.17
@mph 76.9 82.5 80.8
Just from the numbers the Blazer looks like the "best" but I don't care for
it's looks and there are some other differences between them that would be of
import to different people with different needs.